We congratulate Bro. Owen on achieving this milestone and we wish him many more exciting years in Freemasonry.
Brethren demonstrating that kindness and brotherly affection are transmitted pure and unimpaired from generation to generation.
Bro Ryan Harris and Bro. Paul Meaby on their Passing to the degree of Fellowcraft
I was unable to attend this months meeting and would like to thank W Bro. Tony Raven and Bro. Bill Pinkerton for for recording the evenings merriment. Bros., Ryan Harris and Paul Meaby were passed to the degree of Fellowcraft a Masonic Degree which symbolises not only the second part of your Masonic journey but also a pathway to to finding out more about yourself, and your relationship with your fellow men. In addition we delighted to welcome two joining members W. Bro. Michael Pacey PPrJGW, and W. Bro. Phil Hiles PPrJGD to our Lodge, they have both been regular visitors and we know they will both be a great asset to the Wychwood Lodge.
Pictured from Left to Right
W. Bro. Jon Paine PrGStwd (acting Junior Deacon)
W. Bro. Alistair Eden PrGOrg, PPrSGD (Senior Warden)
W. Bro. Michael Pacey PPrJGW
Bro. Paul Meaby
W. Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB, - Worshipful Master
Bro. Ryan Harris
W.Bro. Phil Hiles PPrJGD
Bro. Christophe Arcalis (Junior Warden)
Bro. Haydn Gidlow (Senior Deacon)
The Wychwood Lodge 133rd Installation Festival
The Wychwood Lodge held its 133rd Annual Festival on the 16th January 2025 where W. Bro. Allan Peates was installed as the Master of the Wychwood for the second time, the first being in 2001. We were pleased to have a number of officers of Provincial Grand Lodge with us. The Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. Paul Giles Buck was accompanied on this occasion by W. Bro. Dr Mark Arthur Slaymaker the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.
Pictured from Left to Right
Bro. Bill Pinkerton (Treasurer)
W. Bro. Dr. Mark Slaymaker PrDepGDC
W. Bro. Alistair Eden PrGOrg, PPrSGD (Senior Warden)
W. Bro. Kevin Smart PPrSGD (IPM)
W. Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB, - Worshipful Master
W. Bro. Paul Giles Buck PSGD APGM
W.Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrJGD (Assistant Director of Ceremonies)
Bro. Christophe Arcalis (Junior Warden)
W. Bro. Eddie Hillier PPrAGDC (Inner Guard and Senior Steward)
Bro. Haydn Gidlow (Senior Deacon)
W. Bro. John Englefield PPrGReg (Director of Ceremonies)
W. Bro. Jon Paine visits Chula Lodge in Bankok, Thailand.
Our Immediate Past Master W. Bro. Jon Paine PrGStwd has taken his Masonic visiting above the call of duty by paying a visit to the Chula Lodge in Thailand. Chula Lodge was consecrated on the 15th September 2001 and is the only United Grand Lodge of England Constituted Masonic Lodge meeting in Bangkok. Here he is pictured with two Chula Lodge Masonic Stewards, he informs us that he had a most wonderful evening and if you are a Mason and ever find yourself in Bangkok please pay the Chula Lodge a visit.
The Brethren of the Chula Lodge, Bangkok Thailand
Wychwood Lodge Christmas Meeting
The Christmas Masonic meeting at the Wychwood Lodge is always a special affair, We were especially honored to receive a visit from our Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Professor Stephen John Tucker on this occasion he was escorted by W. Bro. Jonathan Williams PrAGDC, LGR and accompanied by a number of active Provincial Officers. The explanation of the symbolism of First Degree Tracing Board was again brought to life by W. Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev PrAGDC. The meeting closed with traditional Christmas fare complete with Carol Singing and delicious home made mince pies, courtesy of our Senior Deacon's wife Mrs Beryl Arcalis.
Brother Meaby on his initiation
Traditionally November at the Wychwood Lodge is a Past Masters Evening. This is where Past Masters of the Lodge take up the various offices to perform a ceremony demonstration. However, this month we were pleased to initiate Mr Paul Meaby into our fraternal brotherhood.
Wychwood Brethren visit the Fairway Lodge 8923 on the Isle of Wight
This month a select group of members of the Wychwood Lodge paid a fraternal visit to a couple of Masonic Lodges on the Isle of Wight.
The Fairway Lodge 8923 a Golfing Lodge and the Spithead Lodge 6719 in Seaview.
Fun Fact; while the Isle of Wight measures only 23 x 13 miles it supports no less that 18 Lodges.
Bro. Ryan Harris on his initiation
On Thursday 17th November the Wychwood Lodge was once again opened at 6pm promptly and our Worshipful Master W. Bro. Kevin Smart initiated a new candidate into our fraternity. Mr Ryan Harris now known to us as Brother Ryan Harris. We were also pleased to receive a goodly number of visiting brethren. The Worshipful Master expressed his thanks to those members of the lodge who stood in at short notice W. Bro. Tony Raven as Junior Warden and W. Bro. Alistair Eden as Director of Ceremonies. A crucial part of the ceremony was perfectly delivered with care and feeling by our Junior Deacon Bro. Haydn Gidlow, to the acclamation of all the brethren present. W. Bro. Stuart Norridge performed his part of the ceremony with his usual dignity and precision. We are very pleased to welcome our newest member into our brotherhood and wish him many enjoyable years in Freemasonry.
Pictured from left to right
Bro. Christophe Arcalis - Senior Deacon, W. Bro. Jon Paine PrGStwd - IPM, W. Bro. Kevin Smart PPrSGD - Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Eddie Hillier PPrAGDC - Inner Guard, Bro. Ryan Harris, W. Bro. Stuart Norridge PPrSGD, W. Bro. Tony Raven PPrJGW - Acting Junior Warden, Bro. Haydn Gidlow - Junior Deacon.
Congratulations to those members of the Wychwood Lodge who received honors
In a change to the usual PGL meeting venue of the Kassam Stadium, this years annual investiture was of a smaller and more intermate nature, being held at the Oxfordshire Masonic Centre at Cardinal House.
It is with great pleasure that we can report a number of our Wychwood Lodge brethren have been awarded distinction as Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire.
W. Bro. Jon Paine received a first appointment to Provincial Grand Lodge as Provincial Grand Steward. You will notice the colour of his regalia is red. To read a fun story about how Stewards were awarded their red regalia please click here.
W. Bro. John Englefield was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Registrar.
W. Bro. Kevin Smart (Our current Worshipful Master) was promoted to Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon.
W. Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev was appointed as Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.
W. Bro. Alistair Eden was reappointed as Provincial Grand Organist, in addition to his masonic rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon.
It goes without saying how very proud we are of our brethren.
Bro. Paul Barr on being made a Master Mason
September is our first meeting back in the Lodge after our summer recess. On the 19th September we resumed our Masonic disinterested friendship (meaning, friendship that is not influenced by considerations of personal advantage) to raise our Brother Paul Barr to the Degree of a Master Mason. It was a wonderful evening and a delight to see everyone again after the summer. Our thoughts will now focus on our October and November meetings where will will be welcoming new members.
Pictured from left to right
Bro.Yevginy Chaplgin, W. Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB, Bro. Christophe Arcalis, W. Bro. Jon Paine, Bro. Paul Barr, W. Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC, W. Bro. Tony Raven PPrJGW, W. Bro Eddie Hiller PPrAGDC. Bro Haydn Gidlow. W. Bro. Alistair Eden PPrSGD, PrGOrg. W. Bro. Monty Shayler PPrJGW, W. Bro. Mike Claridge PPrGStB, W. Bro Martin Fricker PPrAGDC.
Bro. Kit King on being made a Master Mason
April marks the halfway point in our Masonic season. We now have a recess over the summer and will restart our Masonic duties at Burford in September. We hope to have a number of events over the summer period and I will document them on this page as they happen, both involving our Burford Masonic Centre and further afield.
On 18th April we gathered to raise our Brother Kit Ling to the degree of a Master Mason, it was as splendid occasion and one which truly demonstrated our core values of unity, friendship and brotherly love.
Pictured from Left to Right
Bro. Yevgeniy Chaplgin - Steward
W. Bro. Jon Paine - IPM and Lodge Membership Officer
Bro Christophe Arcalis - Senior Deacon
Bro. Kit Ling -
W. Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Worshipful Master
W. Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrGStB - Junior Warden
W. Bro. Mike Clarridge PPrGStB- Lodge Mentor
W. Bro. Eddie Hillier PPrAGDC - Inner Guard and Senior Steward
W. Bro. John Hussey PPrJGW
W. Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB PPrSGW - Senior Warden and Asst.Sec.
Bro. Haydn Gidlow - Junior Deacon
W. Bro. Alan Baverstock, Deputy Provincial Grand Master
M. W. Bro. Jonathan Spence DL, Pro Grand Master
R W. Bro. Prof. Stephen Tucker, Provincial Grand Master
W. Bro. Paul Buck, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
On the 27th March 2024 a number of the Wychwood brethren were delighted to attend the installation of the new Provincial Grand Master in and over the Province of Oxfordshire, R. W. Bro. Prof. Steven John Tucker M.A. D. Phil.
It was a momentous occasion with the installation ceremony being conducted by the Pro Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Jonathan Spence DL, in the presence many distinguished guests. A occasion which our new PGM said, was a very special moment and one that he will always treasure.
Our new PGM stated the he is very fortunate to have such a strong and able executive surrounding him, and with the clear direction provided by the new Strategy for Freemasonry, he looks forward to implementing the Strategy throughout Oxfordshire.
We look forward to supporting our new PGM in his future endeavors and helping him create an environment in which every masonic member will be proud to call themselves an Oxfordshire Freemason.
Brother Yevgeniy Chaplgin on being made a Master Mason
Another fantastic evening at the Wychwood Lodge this month. Our Brother Yevgeniy Chaplgin was raised in to the Third Degree in Freemasonary and made a Master Mason. We all congratulate Brother Yev on this milestone and wish him many happy years in the lodge.
Pictured from Left to Right
Bro. Haydn Gidlow - Junior Deacon
Bro. Yevgeniy Chaplgin
W. Bro. Eddie Hillier PPrAGDC - Inner Guard
W. Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Worshipful Master
W. Bro. Steve Willoughby with his Large Fork to mark his 27 year service to the Wychwood Lodge as Senior Steward.
The Wychwood Lodge was pleased to conduct a passing ceremony for one of our members this month. In addition, as a mark of esteem to W. Bro. Streve Willoughby PPrJGW, who had served the lodge as Senior Steward for the past 27 years, Our Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Kevin Smart, PPrAGDC, presented a Large Fork to Brother Willoughby as a token of our esteem a gift which he will treasurer forever.
Wychwood Lodge 132nd Installation Festival
The Wychwood Lodge held its 132st Annual Festival on the 18th January 2024 where W. Bro. Kevin Smart was installed as the Master of the Wychwood Lodge for the second time. We were pleased to have a number of officers of Provincial Grand Lodge with us. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master was accompanied on this occasion by W. Bro. Yanto Evans the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.
Pictured from Left to Right
W. Bro. Peter Smith PSGD, PAsstPGM
Bro. Bill Pinkerton (Treasurer)
V. W. Bro. Graham Peter Ellis PGSwdB DepPGM
W. Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB, PPrSGW (Senior Warden)
W. Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Worshipful Master
W.Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrGStB (Junior Warden)
W.Bro. Jon Paine (Immediate Past Master)
W. Bro. Nick Carter PAGDC, ProvSGW
W. Bro. Alistair Eden PPrSGD, ProvGOrg (Assistant Director of Ceremonies)
W. Bro. David Portman ProvJGD
W. Bro. Michael Smail ProvGChap
Members of the Wychwood Lodge December 2017
I was recently reminded of this picture taken at our December 2017 meeting to mark our 125th anniversary. It is particularly special as five of the brethren pictured are no longer with us. Their enthusiasm and dedication to The Wychwood Lodge is a daily reminder to us of how we can strive improve ourselves.
Pictured from left to right:
Back row: W. Bro. Allan Peates, W. Bro. Mike Claridge, W. Bro. Jon Hitchcock, Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev, W. Bro. Alan Jenkins, W. Bro. John Hussey, W. Bro. Monty Shayler, W. Bro. Owen Kernahan, W. Bro. John Englefield.
Middle Row: Bro. Ivan Pushnik, W. Bro. Chris Walker, Bro. Stuart Peates, W. Bro. Pierre Macke, W. Bro. Alistair Eden, W. Bro. Kevin Smart, W. Bro. Stuart Norridge.
Front Row: R.W. Bro. Allan Englefield, W. Bro. Roger Freeman, W. Bro. Tony Raven, W. Bro John Keen, W. Bro. Jim Lazenby, W. Bro. Richard Slade, W. Bro. Peter Smith, W. Bro. Brian Hall.
Once again the brethren of the Wychwood Lodge celebrated our Christmas meeting in traditional form, with an explanation of the symbolism of First Degree Tracing Board, this was followed by a lovely traditional Christmas meal complete with Carol Singing and mince pies.
We would like to express a hearty thank you to our Worshipful Master for his expert guidance over the past year we look forward to January when he will install his successor.
The Wychwood table enjoying the Almoners Christmas Lunch
We hold two annual Almoners lunches at the Witney Masonic Hall, one at Easter and the other at Christmas. On the 26th November Terry and Mary Williams arranged this years Christmas lunch. There were over 98 dining with the tables arranged according to Lodge. The Wychwood table was well represented and our Worshipful Master Jon Paine gave the opening address.
Initiation at the Wychwood Lodge
On Thursday 16th November the Wychwood Lodge was opened at 6pm promptly and our Worshipful Master Bro. Jon Paine proceeded to initiate his close friend and now our Brother into our ancient and fraternal society. We were pleased to receive a Provincial visit from W.Bro. Ron Barnett PAGStB, PrGReg and W.Bro. Stephen Hignell PrGMen, along with a goodly number of visiting brethren. The Ancient Charge to the candidate was delivered perfectly by W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC to the acclamation of all the brethren present. We are very pleased to welcome our new Brother into our number and wish him many enjoyable years in Freemasonry.
Pictured from left to right
W.Bro. Chris Walker PPrSGW, W.Bro John Keen PPrGStB, W.Bro Martin Fricker PPrAGDC, Bro. Kit Ling, W.Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB, W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC, W.Bro. Stephen Willoughby PPrJGW, W.Bro. Jon Paine, Bro. Initiate, W.Bro. John Hussey PPrJGW, W.Bro. Monty Shayler PPrJGW, Bro. Christophe Arcalis, W.Bro. Mike Claridge PPrGStB, W.Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrGStB, W.Bro. Tony Raven PPrJGW, W.Bro Eddie Hiller PPrAGDC, Bro.Yevginy Chaplgin, Bro Tye Yusuff (Whitson Lodge No. 2943), Bro Haydn Gidlow.
Shrine at Freemasons Hall
As we approach Remembrance Sunday I thought I would share the picture I took of the Shrine at Freemasons Hall in London. The Shrine was created by Walter Gilbert and stands on four figures, Moses, Joshua, King Solomon and St. George. On the top, in the centre is a scroll which holds the names of all the Brothers of the United Grand Lodge of England who fell during the First Word War. Surrounding the scroll are four figures who represent the four branches of the Armed Forces. You will notice the stained glass window above depicting the symbol of Freemasons Hall, The Hall Stone Jewel, which is an Winged Angel holding a representation of Freemasons Hall itself.
We will remember them.
Our Fraternal visit to the Whitson Lodge in Bristol to witness the initiation of Brother Taoreed (Tye) Yusuff
It is with real pleasure that we can report on our fraternal visit to the Whitson Lodge who hold their meetings at the Freemasons Hall in Bristol. This is a unique historic building on Park Street the Lodge building itself is a Province all of its own. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Bristol.
The ceremonies in Bristol are very special differing from those carried out in many other masonic lodges in the English Constitution, they are more dramatic and elaborate. You will notice that the Bristol Worshipful Master wears a 'cocked hat', worn fore and aft. This is a custom dating back to the sea captains who were Masters of their Lodges in the middle of the 18th century.
Pictured from Left to Right
W.Bro. John Keen PPrGStB, Bro.Yevginy Chaplgin, W.Bro. Eddie Hiller PPrAGDC, Bro. Haydn Gidlow, W.Bro. Jon Paine, W.Bro. Suresh Chouthi SLGR (Richard Eve Lodge No.2772). Bro. Taoreed (Tye) Yusuff, W. Bro. Alessandro Bellafiore (Whitson Lodge), Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd, W. Bro Jasvinder Jugdev ProvGStwd, W. Bro Kevin Smart PPrAGDC, Bro. Christophe Arcalis, Bro. Kit Ling.
Select members of the Wychwood Lodge October 2023
Our candidate for initiation this evening decided that it was not the right time for him to join Freemasonry. We respect his decision. It is very important that prospective candidates for Freemasonry are given the time and space to make sure the Freemasonry is right for them at this stage of their lives.
If you are interested in building great and enduring friendships by joining an organisation that is completely different to from anything you have probably experienced before. Participate in something with centuries old traditions and timeless values while helping your local communities and learning more about yourself as an individual. Please consider contacting us for an informal chat you will find us to be very approachable who knows you may find that Freemasonry adds a whole new dimension to your life.
In light of the above we were delighted to conduct a full demonstration of the Initiation Ceremony, we were pleased to receive a large delegation from the members of the Wittas Island lodge along with the Masters of the Buttercross Lodge and the Master of the Oxfordshire Lodge of Provincial Grand Stewards.
Pictured from Left to Right
W.Bro. Roger Freeman PPrAGDC, Bro. Kit Ling, W.Bro. John Keen PPrGStB, W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC, W.Bro. Chris Walker PPrSGW, W.Bro. Alistair Eden PrGOrg, PPrSGD, W.Bro. Jon Paine, Bro. Christophe Arcalis, W.Bro. Dr. Jasvinder Jugdev PGStwd, Bro. Haydn Giddlow, W.Bro. Peter Smith PSGD, PAsstProvGM, Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd.
Congratulations to W.Bro. Alistair Eden and W. Bro Jasvinder Jugdev on their Provincial appointments.
It is with great pleasure that we can report two of our Wychwood Lodge brethren have been awarded distinction as Active Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire 2023-24.
W. Bro. Alistair Eden has been reappointed as Provincial Grand Organist in addition to his rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon.
W. Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev has received a first appointment to Provincial Grand Lodge as Provincial Grand Steward. You will notice the colour of his regalia is red. To read about how Stewards got their red regalia please click here.
On Saturday 23rd September the Freemasons of Burford presented a new wooden bench to the people of Burford we hope that they and the towns visitors make good use of it.
The original bench was dedicated in memory of William Baron Percy CBE 1886-1966. We have taken the opportunity to dedicate the new bench further to our own members who we have recently lost to the Grand Lodge above.
W. Bro James Lazenby 1926 - 2019
W. Bro Richard Slade 1937 - 2020
W. Bro. Brian Hall 1932 - 2021
Bro. Ivan Puschnik 1940 - 2021
W. Bro. Michael Florey 1945 - 2023
We miss then all terribly and remember them fondly.
On a beautiful crisp Saturday Morning at 10am a small group of members of the Wychwood Lodge gathered after enjoying coffee and biscuits to present the new bench to the people of Burford. Who on this occasion were represented by:
Peter Higgs - Mayor of Burford
Maggie Andrews - Town Clerk
Cllr. Jennie Craven
Cllr. Sue Lofthouse
Cllr. Sarah Palmer
Cllr. Jo Rushton
Cllr. Jane Westmacott-Tunnell
Cllr. Perryn Bruce
Cllr. Derek Cotterill - District Councillor
The old bench was originally identified as requiring replacement by W. Bro. Allan Peates who organised the charitable collection through all the five lodges who meet at the Masonic Centre in Burford.
Also pictured are:
W. Bro. Chris Walker
W. Bro. Scott Bearman-Brown
Bro. Christophe Arcalis
Bro. Haydn Gidlow
W. Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev
It was a lovely morning and the local councilors thanked us further for the donation we had made towards the refurbishment of the Burford play park.
Bro. Kit Ling on being passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft
September marks the beginning of our Masonic season, and we were pleased to pass Brother Kit Ling to the degree of a Fellowcraft Freemason. It was a wonderful evening and a real joy to be back in the lodge. We were blessed to receive a number of visitors and the ceremony was conducted in an excellent manner by W. Bro Jon Paine ably assisted by the Officers and Members of the Lodge. We are once again indebted to W.Bro. Tony Raven who stood in as Junior Warden while W.Bro Jon Hitchcock deals with a family matter.
Pictured from Left to Right
Bro. Bill Pinkerton - Senior Deacon
W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Senior Warden
W.Bro. Jon Paine - Worshipful Master
Bro. Keith Ling
W.Bro. Tony Raven PPrJGW -
Bro. Christophe Arcalis - Junior Decon
W.Bro Jon Paine receives a donation to the building fund
Over the summer of 2023 the Wychwood Lodge held a BBQ in the Lodge garden organised by the Wychwood Lodge of Mark Master Masons, in order to help raise monies for the Lodge building fund. The event was very well attended and organised and a special mention must go to Brother and Chef, Christophe Arcalis and his wonderful wife Beryl for their excellent food wrangling skills.
The event raised quite a considerable amount of money and W.Bro. David Brown and W.Bro. Stephen Bentall members of the Wychwood Lodge of Mark Master Masons attended our meeting to present two cheques to our Worshipful Master.
The monies were gratefully received and will be faithfully applied to the ongoing maintenance of the Lodge buildings.
Pictured from Left to Right
W.Bro. David Brown PPrGStB
W.Bro. Jon Paine - Worshipful Master
W.Bro. Stephen Bentall PPrJGD
Brother Yevgeniy Chaplygin on his passing at the Wychwood Lodge.
April marks the halfway point in our Masonic calendar, as we will now have a summer recess until we resume meetings again in September.
On the 20th April 2023 we were pleased to see Brother Chaplygin passed to the second degree in Freemasonry. He was once again conducted throughout the ceremony with excellent demeanor by our Deacons, and we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Brother Gidlow who stepped in once again as our inner guard. On this occasion were pleased to receive a large number of visitors from the Windrush Lodge 1703 in Witney, we do hope they enjoyed their evening.
The Members of the Wychwood Lodge look forward to resuming our formal meetings in September but in the meantime we will be holding a summer BBQ in the garden of the Lodge and I look forward to reporting on the event in due course.
Pictured from Left to Right
Bro. Bill Pinkerton - Senior Deacon
Bro. Yevgeniy Chaplgin
Bro. Christophe Arcalis - Junior Deacon
Bro. Haydn Gidlow - Steward (Acting Inner Guard)
Brother Keith (Kit) Ling on his Initiation into the the Wychwood Lodge
On Thursday 16th March The Wychwood Lodge was opened by the Worshipful Master who then proceeded to initiate his good friend Mr Keith Ling into the lodge. The Worshipful Master was once again assisted by past masters of the lodge. The Worshipful Master expressed his particular thanks to both our Deacons Bro. Christophe Arcalis and Bro. Bill Pinkerton for safely conducting Kit through the ceremony and especially to Bro. Haydn Gidlow for stepping in as Inner Guard at short notice and undertaking the duties with such composure and professionalism. The ceremony was performed in a manner which has been dubbed by some as "The Wychwood Way" and comments by our visitors at the festive board attesting to the high quality of the ceremony were greatly appreciated.
Pictured from Left to Right
Bro. Jon Paine - Worshipful Master (Keith's proposer)
Bro. Keith Ling
Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd (Keith's seconder)
Bro. Bill Pinkerton - Senior Deacon
Bro. Reg Paine receives a certificate to commemorate his 50th years in Freemasonary from W.Bro Allan Peates PAGStB.
The Wychwood Lodge members in Burford were pleased to celebrate with Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd on reaching his 50th year in Freemasonry. Bro. Paine was initiated into the Wychwood lodge on 15th March 1973. Bro. Reg spent many years working abroad but always maintained close ties with the lodge. It is interesting to note that his father W.Bro Reginald George Paine PPrGStB was initiated into the lodge in 1953, he then served as Worshipful Master in 1963 and both he and his wife Mrs Vera Paine designed and made the original Wychwood Lodge banner which is rumored to contain a note, the secret contents of which, will remain unknown, until such a time as the banner requires refurbishment.
Bro. Reg Paine was presented with a commemorative 50 years in Freemasonry certificate by W.Bro Allan Peates PAGStB during an evening which included a first degree ceremony (see above).
Pictured from left to right
Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd
W.Bro. Allan Peates PAGStB
Brother Yevgeniy Chaplygin on his initiation into the Wychwood Lodge.
On Thursday 16th February 2023 at 6.00pm the Wychwood Lodge was opened and we were was pleased to welcome Yevgeniy Chaplygin to our ancient and honorable society. The brethren present witnessed a most wonderful heartfelt ceremony undertaken by the Worshipful Master who on this occasion was ably assisted by other members of the lodge. The ceremony was performed to a high standard and Brother Chaplygin was expertly guided throughout by our Deacons. The evening was rounded off as usual with a most excellent Festive Board.
Pictured from Left to Right
W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Senior Warden
Bro. Yevgeniy Chaplygin
Bro. Jon Paine - Worshipful Master
W.Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrGStB - Junior Warden
A momentous occasion. W. Bro Jon Paine ascends to the position of Worshipful Master of the Wychwood Lodge sixty years after his Grandpa, W.Bro Reginald George Paine PPrGStdB held the office in 1963.
The Wychwood Lodge held its 131st Annual Festival on the 19th January 2023 where Bro. Jon Paine was successfully installed as the Master of the Wychwood Lodge for the ensuing year. We were pleased to have W.Bro. Bernie Wegerhoff the Provincial Grand Secretary in attendance, who on this occasion was representing the Provincial Grand Master R.W.Bro. James R. G. Hilditch. W.Bro. Bernie Wegerhoff was accompanied by W. Bro. Yanto Evans the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies.
Pictured from Left to Right
W.Bro. Kevin Smart PPrAGDC - Senior Warden
W.Bro. Bernie Wegerhoff PGStB PrGSec
Bro. Reg Paine PPrGStwd
Bro. Jon Paine - Worshipful Master
W.Bro. Jasvinder Jugdev - IPM
W.Bro. Jon Hitchcock PPrGStB - Junior Warden
The Wychwood Lodge - ready to dine.
As is usual at The Wychwood Lodge our December, Christmas meeting was held in traditional form with an explanation of The First Degree Tracing Board (this is the longest and most extravagant of the three in terms of allegory). The meeting was followed by a wonderful traditional Christmas meal with carol singing to close the evening.
Congratulations to Bro. Chima Anyanwu and Bro. Trevor Wicks on their passing to the degree of Fellocraft.
The Wychwood Lodge was pleased to be asked by the WM of the Witta’s Island Lodge, W.Bro. Tom Vaughan to carry out a double passing ceremony for two of their recent new members and we were pleased to support them with their request. Not within living memory has a double ceremony been conducted at Burford, and we were also delighted on this occasion to receive an official visit from the Provincial Grand Master R. W. Bro James Robert Guy Hilditch who also assisted in the ceremony.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the PGM for his visit and of course for his support during the meeting.
Pictured from left to right - Wittas Island Lodge members in the background;
W. Bro. Andrew Trueman, PAGStB, PPrGSwdB
W. Bro. David Hutton PPrGReg
W.Bro. Tom Vaughan
W. Bro. Anthony Taylor PJGD PPrSGW
Bro. Chima Anyanwu
Bro. Trevor Wicks
In the foreground
Bro. Dr Jasvinder Jugdev WM
R.W. Bro. James R. G. Hilditch PGM.
W.Bro. Tony Raven PPrJGW, the Immediate Past Master lays a wreath on behalf of the Wychwood Lodge of Freemasons at the Burford cenotaph.
Photographs credited to Mr Peter Gould
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